R Ashwin Reacts To Ollie Robinson’s Suspension From International Cricket Over ‘Racist And Sexist’ Tweets

Fast bowler Ollie Robinson, who made his Test debut for England against New Zealand, made significant contributions both with the ball and bat, but sadly was suspended from international cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after the completion of England vs New Zealand 1st Test.

Some old tweets made by the fast-bowler in 2012 and 2013 resurfaced and went viral, in which he had made ‘racist and sexist’ comments. After this the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took disciplinary action against Robinson and he has been suspended from international cricket, pending a disciplinary investigation. Team India’s senior spinner R Ashwin has given his take on the whole controversy.

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“I can understand the negative sentiments towards what #OllieRobinson did years ago, but I do feel genuinely sorry for him being suspended after an impressive start to his test career. This suspension is a strong indication of what the future holds in this social media Gen,” Ashwin wrote on Twitter.

In the England vs New Zealand drawn first Test, Robinson bowled well and picked seven wickets (4/75) and (3/26) – and contributed with 42 runs in England’s first innings.

After play on Wednesday, Robinson apologised for his old tweets and said: “On the biggest day of my career so far, I am embarrassed by the racist and sexist tweets that I posted over eight years ago, which have today become public. I want to make it clear that I’m not racist and I’m not sexist.

“I deeply regret my actions, and I am ashamed of making such remarks. I would like to unreservedly apologise to anyone I have offended, my teammates and the game as a whole in what has been a day of action and awareness in combatting discrimination from our sport.”